Wally van Middendorp and Sam Tjioe founded Plurex Records in 1977, igniting the postpunk scene in the Netherlands during a turbulent time in Dutch music and society. Now, 45 years later, Modern Harmonic has released From Punk To Ultra: The Plurex Story, a compilation spotlighting this pioneering independent label by collecting all their singles from the late ’70s and early ’80s, including music by the likes of Tits, Mollesters, Filth, Interior, Mumbles, Ze Popes, Bandt + Instruments and Minny Pops.
This wild ride is a mix of proto-post-punk, protopunk, garage, and various strains of outsider pop and rock. While it includes a few head-scratchers, there are far more gems to discover. The compilation’s eccentricity is its charm – you never know what to expect as one song ends and the next begins. As Plurex founder van Middendorp reflects: “I always thought that the releases on the Plurex label formed a musical unity, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is a strange mixture of musical styles that are far apart, and the unifying factor is the Plurex label. It only took 45 years to realize this.”
From Punk To Ultra is a cool, essential document of the Dutch underground scene, offering a thrilling dive into the diverse world of Plurex Records. Out now on gatefold 2LP and CD at Modern Harmonic.
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